Incarceration may impact your eligibility for benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). This depends on how long you are incarcerated for and what type of benefits you receive. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments and you are in jail or prison, your payments will be suspended after you have been incarcerated… Read more »
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Timeliness and Quality of the Disability Process
Social Security has an $800 billion annual budget, and is one of the government’s largest expenses. Best known for sending monthly payments to retired Americans, SSA also pays disability claims for 18 million people each year, with numbers increasing due to the recession. The Social Security Administration currently faces one of the largest backlogs in the… Read more »
Compassionate Allowance List Increased to 200 Conditions
The Social Security Administration (SSA) increased the number of diseases and conditions that are part of SSA’s Compassionate Allowance program to 200, which was commemorated by SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue on December 6 in Washington, D.C. The Compassionate Allowance program is designed to fast-track disability cases for people who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses. Conditions… Read more »
Why does Social Security consider my age in determining whether I am disabled?
Social Security must consider age and are required to do so. As people get older, many become less flexible, having difficulties switching to different jobs in order to cope with health problems. For example: a severe foot injury which causes a 30-year-old to switch jobs where he or she can sit down during an 8-hour… Read more »
The VA says I am disabled, why is Social Security denying my claim?
Social Security Administration decisions and the Veteran Association decisions are separate disability claims. It is important to understand Social Security and the VA have different standards and guidelines for approving disability claims. The VA provides percentages for disability ratings and SSA is you are either disabled or not disabled. One of the major differences between… Read more »
Poll Shows Americans Support SSDI Program
The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is a safety net for disabled workers who are no longer able to continue to work at a Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level. A new poll conducted by a research firm indicates that most Americans believe the SSDI program is important and they don’t want to see cuts… Read more »
Will getting married affect my disability benefits?
Depending on what type of benefits you are receiving getting married can affect your eligibility for payments or reduce the amount of your monthly benefits. If you do get married the Social Security Administration (SSA) will determine any changes. If you are receiving Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) getting married will have no effect on your… Read more »
Child Disability and Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
Social Security Supplemental Security Income makes monthly payments to people with low income and limited resources who are ages 65 or older, blind, or disabled. A child younger than age 18 can qualify if he or she meets Social Security’s definition of disability, and if his or her income and resources fall within the eligibility… Read more »
What is Presumptive Disability and do I qualify?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) may be able to pay you Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits while you wait for your medical determination if you qualify for Presumptive Disability or Presumptive Blindness benefits. These are temporary benefits awarded to a claimant whose alleged conditions make them likely to be approved. These benefits are paid out… Read more »
Who Makes Lower Level Decisions on Disability Cases?
In most states, the majority of Social Security disability cases are denied twice, which results in the need to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Obviously the ALJ makes the disability determination after the hearing, but who makes disability determinations prior to this level? Most people who are applying for either Social Security… Read more »
